Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
A doctor places an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (also called an ICD) in the chest. The ICD has one or two wires called leads that connect to the heart through a vein. The ICD checks the heartbeat for an abnormal rhythm. If the ICD senses an abnormal heart rhythm, it sends out either electrical pulses or a shock to fix it.
Last Revised: September 12, 2012
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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